Jarome Luai has spoken openly about his desire to go from Robin to Batman when he joins the Wests Tigers next year, but a former Panthers teammate is emulating a different superhero when it comes to handling his new leadership role.
Stephen Crichton had never captained a game before Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo handed his star recruit the reins at the start of the season, and the three-time premiership winner has followed in the footsteps of Spider-Man by embracing the adage that “with great power comes great responsibility”.
Ciraldo spoke glowingly after Canterbury’s recent win over Parramatta where his strike centre helped them overcome a late deficit to win a game they would have lost in recent years.
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“His influence on our team is undeniable. We can’t measure it, but the way he’s been able to help teach them to win came out tonight,” he said.
“I think without him there tonight and his influence over the past few months, I don’t think that result happens.”
Leadership means different things to different people, but for Crichton, he strives to lead through his actions that speak volumes given he’s scored in four-straight grand finals and took Samoa to the World Cup final.
“I’ve got a big mouth and talk a lot, so I might as well use it on the field as well,” he said.
“That’s how I want to play footy and hopefully give confidence to the boys around me.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m surprised, but I still pinch myself with what I’m doing. I’m still shocking myself with what I do as a job, especially captaining the Dogs which is very special.
“I’m so excited going into training, I’m so excited to see the boys succeed and the boys around me doing their best.
“It does shock me, but I put it down to what I live for which is my family and my faith which has kept me humble throughout everything.”
Crichton, 23, is one of several club captains in the Blues side, and he’s easily been the loudest around camp in a bid to boost the confidence of his teammates as they look to keep the series alive.
His defence in game one was outstanding, and his attack has always been world class, but it’s his leadership that has blossomed in 2024 after showing glimpses of it at the Panthers.
“You could tell that he had that in him,” Blues enforcer Liam Martin said, having spent several seasons with him at Penrith.
“He’s the ultimate professional so he’s always the first one in and the last one out doing countless hours of video, stretching and all that stuff.
“His footy IQ is quite remarkable, so you could always tell that he had that in him. I’m just glad that he’s doing well and that ‘Ciro’ is getting the best out of him.
“He’s just a freak.
“He’s still young as, but you only have to look at him. He’s athletic and talented, but he also works super hard at his skill, so it’s no wonder that he’s reaping the rewards as the best centre in the game. He’s earned it.”
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It’s been a brutal few years for the Bulldogs who last played finals footy way back in 2016, but Crichton has them in the top eight and has lifted standards around Belmore that hasn’t gone unnoticed at other clubs.
“I felt like he had it in him, but with the leadership group at Penrith, he probably didn’t need to speak as much,” Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo said.
“Now he’s gone to the Bulldogs, he’s probably realised what he can bring to the table there and he’s showing it.
“You can’t always see leadership, but you can certainly see him doing it. With what he’s showing, it’s bringing up the other players around him, and that’s the sign of a good leader.”